The vessel that God uses, be it a building, item or a person will usually be consecrated. To consecrate is “to set apart for a holy use; to render holy or venerable; to hallow; to devote”. When consecration takes place, such building, item or person is set apart or dedicated to be used in the service of God.
The Temple and its trappings were the most important objects consecrated to God in the Old Testament. We see examples of this in 2 Chron 7:5-9, when Solomon made sacrifices to dedicate The Temple of God, and in Ezra 6:16-17, after the Israelites completed the rebuilding of The Temple. Aaron and his sons were consecrated to the priesthood (Ex 29; Lev 8:1). Furthermore, even such items as the spoils of battle (Josh 6:19; Mic 4:13) and cattle could be consecrated (Lev 27:28). Prior to the beginning of the priesthood in Israel's history, God commanded the first-born of men and beasts alike to be consecrated - Ex 13:2 “Consecrate to me every firstborn male. The first offspring of every womb among the Israelites belongs to me, whether human or animal.” But after the priesthood began, the tribe of Levi served as a substitute in this consecration; Num 3:12 “I have taken the Levites from among the Israelites in place of the first male offspring of every Israelite woman. The Levites are mine”
Christ provides, and is the supreme example of consecration in the New Testament (Heb 7:28; 10:10). John 17:19 puts it this way “For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified”. But believers are also consecrated by Christ (John 17:17; 1 Peter 2:9), and are urged to consecrate themselves as well (Rom 12:1; 2 Tim 2:21). One of the results of our consecration by Christ is that we are now a priesthood of believers (1 Peter 2:9) with direct access to our heavenly Father (Eph 3:11-12).
As followers of Christ, God is calling us in this season for a deeper walk with Him. Let us go beyond a transactional relationship with God, and embark on a journey of consecration which would enable us to become “instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.” The Bible is replete with examples of men and women who set themselves apart for the service of God and were used mightily by Him. This is our turn, and our four-part series for the month of January, “Divine Consecration”, challenges us to seek first the Kingdom of God by desiring a more intimate relationship with God. Join us this and every Sunday, as we explore the theme.
God bless you.
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